Last night, Swedish speed demon, Sarah Sjostrom, was given her country’s Jerring Sports Achievement Award for 2014. The award is given by the Sweden’s public service radio and is considered the country’s most prestigious athlete honor.
Sjostrom was one of three final candidates for the award, which included skier Charlotte Kalla and harness racer Orjan Kihlstrom. The Swedish public comprises the voting base and many news outlets reported that Kala would be the likely winner. However, Sjostrom pulled out 35.1% of the 476, 306 votes to Kalla’s 28.5% to win the award, which covers achievements through November of each calendar year.
The last swimmer to walk away with the Jerring Award was Therese Alshammar who earned the honor after her tremendous swimming performances of 2010, where she won two World Championships medals and along with five more at the European Championships.
For her part, in 2014 Sjostrom raced her way to a collection of medals at the 2014 European Championships. She earned 4 silvers for her performances in the women’s 4 x 200 free and 4 x 100 medley relays, as well as her individual 100 butterfly and 50 freestyle swims. Sjostrom struck gold three times at the meet, earning the top prize in the 50 butterfly and 100m freestyle individual events, as well as the women’s 4 x 100 freestyle relay.
Then, Sjostrom stunned the entire world by throwing down one of the most memorable swims in recent history. When Sjostrom touched the wall in 24.43 for her 50m butterfly win at the Swedish Nationals in July, she not only beat the next closest competitor in the race by over a half second, she positively smashed the old Swedish and World Record of 25.07. The old record was fittingly owned by teammate and past Jerring Award winner, Therese Alshammer.
On winning of the Jerring Award, Sverigus Radio quotes Sjostrom as saying, “2014 was a truly amazing year for me….it went really so much better than expected. I really have to thank my coach…even my training buddies and everyone who voted.”
She beat Zlatan?!?
I think the only reasonable answer is yes, she did beat Zlatan. The main prize wasn’t the only prize that was awarded that night. Here is the list of others (translations of the prizes are mine and Swedish is not my mother tongue so a small disclaimer!):
The newcomer of the year: Sandra Näslund, skicross
The performance of the year: women’s relay team, cross-country skiing
The coach of the year: Rikard Grip, cross-country skiing
The team of the year: women’s relay team, cross-country skiing
Sportspegelpriset: Kiruna AIF ( I am not sure exactly what prize is this, but it’s about an act that means much for the sport in a positive way)
The sportswoman of the year: Charlotte Kalla,… Read more »
Zlatan finished 6th place in the voting. The people televote for a couple of months, when the gala starts five alternatives are left to vote for. Kalla was leading the voting heading into the gala, but Sarah had a heck of a push to win, maybe a little thanks to being present(in difference to Kalla who was absent). I also think that most of the Swedish people thought that she deserved at least one prize, she was nominated for both the performance of the year(her 50 fly WR) and female athlete of the year but got snubbed. It’s hard to compete with Olympic medals but she deserved it!
It should also be noted that technically the short course world champs was not part of this year’s voting. Now obviously it affects a prize votings like this anyway, but for female athlete of the year, which is decided by a jury of sports journalists, it wasn’t considered.
Now that folks is Valkerie Fashion at its best . Ladies – don’t name your wimpy baby Freya , unless she can grow up to look like this .
Translation?
It confirms that you are not on the same planet as us. 😆
Bobo . As Europe has run out of any men to admire , we must rely on its women. France needs to start calling more baby girls Jehanne / Jehanette in the hope one will rise up & lead the gallant in procession to Reims .
Just as the English spent 40 years training its long bow archers unknown to you , there is another stealth army ( in Reims unfortunately ) ..
Why I don’t understand anything?
What Jeanne d’Arc and Reims are doing here? 🙄
I found the dress a little too bathrobe-like. And it’s a shame for her to cover such magnificent shoulders she should be so proud of.
Horrible dress.
But amazing swimmer.